Queer Canadian-French alt-pop artist Maryze makes their UK debut with False Icon, a glittering, scathing critique of celebrity culture produced by Skyler Cocco. Known for stormy-sweet synths, bilingual lyrics, and bold theatricality, Maryze has toured internationally, gone viral with Langue, and performed at SXSW while sharing stages with acts like Boy Harsher and Desire. With residencies in Los Angeles and a growing reputation for boundary-pushing artistry, Maryze is fast emerging as one of alt-pop’s most magnetic voices.

Hi, how are you?

Good, thanks! Just got back to LA after performing in France and the UK for the first time.

We are thrilled about your new single release and would love to hear the story behind it.

I wrote False Icon with producer Skyler Cocco last year in LA. We were feeling disenchanted about fake friendships and the way that some people in the industry use others to get ahead. We personified that into a monster-type character (who became the faceless lady in the music video) and injected horror film sounds, synths, and strings. It's my favourite song to perform right now; I feel like it soaks the room in this dark cinematic synth soundtrack.

And what is your key ambition?

To make the best and most meaningful music I possibly can with people who inspire me and understand the vision. I want to tap into something real that has nothing to do with going viral or doing numbers. My key ambition is really just to make uninhibited, honest art.

We want to get to know a little more about your musical taste. Tell us a song & artist (and a reason) that makes you:

Smile: Sugar, We're Goin Down by Fall Out Boy. It got me into emo music, and I have so many warm memories of seeing it live/performing it at karaoke with friends.

Cry: Honestly anything by Lady Gaga, especially her earlier albums. Her voice and emotion just pull at my heartstrings like no other.

Laugh at: Je Chante by Charles Trenet. A tragically humourous old French song with a dark ending.

Feel nostalgic: Oops!…I Did It Again by Britney Spears. My first cassette tape!

Dance in the kitchen: Dancing with Myself - Billy Idol. Because, how can you not? This song inspired me to learn to play bass.

Sing in the shower: Take On Me by A-ha. A perfect, and very difficult to sing unless belting, pop song.

Message a friend immediately: Genie in a Bottle by Christina Aguilera. It makes me want to message my childhood best friend Zoé – we performed it for the whole school in elementary for some insane reason.

What was the best gig you have ever been to?

Recently, I saw John Francais Flynn at SXSW, and my jaw was on the floor. I'm half Irish, and his style of Irish folk music was transfixing. I saw him with my manager Sarah (Hot Tramp), who goes to a lot of shows, and she agreed it was the best she'd seen in a while.

What is the best show you have ever done?

It's hard to choose, but in the past year, performing at October Tone in Strasbourg, France, was a real highlight. It was packed, everyone's energy was on fire, the organisers were so welcoming, and it just felt like a magical experience being far from home and having hundreds of people singing along to my music.

What stage have you not performed on that you dream of?

I want to perform in Ireland! It doesn't even matter which stage; that would just feel like a homecoming in a way, even if I've never lived there. It's the same feeling I got performing in France, where my dad is from – like tapping into a part of my identity that's buried but ever-present.

Lastly, you can achieve one thing by the end of the year; what is it? Finishing my upcoming album. And it will happen!"

Get False Icon here.

Watch the False Icon video